New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-12-22
DISASTER on THE PACIFIC.
A STEAMER BURNED AND 10 MEN PERISH
THE SAN yrNcrNI's. OF THE PACIFIC COAST
STEAMSHIP COMPANY, LOST-PANIC-s STRICKEN
SAILORS.


SAILORS
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
SAN Francisco, Dec. 2l.-One OF the worst marine
disasters that has occurred this coast for many years
the burning OF the Pacific Coast steamship Com
pany freight steamer San Vncents last night oil Pigeoh
Point, forty miles from this city, which resulted IN the
lass OF twelve Of the crew Tie seven survivors we're
picked by the steamer Queen OF the Pacific hlch ar
rived here at to-day. bringing the first news OF the
disaster Captain Lewis told the following story or tho
disaster The loss OF life hc attributes solely to lack Of
discipline amsns the crew. who became panic-sr
and made wild rush for the boats.
1--WE left Broadway wharf" said the captain. at
O'clock yesterday and at haifpast the mate noticed
smoke coming through the leaders of the wheelgear
hose stretched aOngthe deck and the engineer was
ordered to stop his engine and turn the steam into the
pun but the smoke which began To pour throIgh
the crevces OF the engine terrified tho engineer
who, although he turned the fire pump. failed to stop
the stesaeTs hcadway. He and his assistant with two
and all the rushing the companon-
onwav and about the deck The main hatch was cleared
away but OF air thus produced caused the
flames below burst forth in volume that csud ne be
stayed The hatch was again placed in POSITION the
veutiiaor3 turned from the wind aud an effort
made to smother the fire Another attempt to reach the
G.ues was made through the aftcrhach but this again
failed. The hold stored with line barrels IL was
impossible to get at the ilsmes.
"Ihe hatch strapped down and the port boat
ordered lowered By this time frenzy had seized the
crew. They became unmaua seable Wild beasts and
about In smoke and darkn lost TO all order and
discipline. As the part boat touched tho water
engineers rcmsn purscr. cook and number OF ,eanen
spranS into ordered them to de 'i but was pnsh
aside crOwdc the rail Nnrn the boa could
NOR" VI pusIed of into darkness Meri
while the Strbp<ii boat lowered, ana the ro"h IL
der Of the rushed for IT, cr"witug On the seats
while hanging from tie davis. Seclus resi- ~
useless sracrel Mate Green iso the boat 10
keep II clear frpm The bursiug snp. as me llama" we're
pushing through crack and every moment the
ain.ut,t threatened t. give way. Just a. me maze
siepp"d mt. the boat the tackle that hct 10 burned
away and the boat opped. II iiled 3ud s"'mpe',
leaving Isat. with -eapcn struggling IN thc va CT
aut the second lcer we're now alone Oh me hHih
ing ship Az loose cOmDuSilhcS were thrown OselnAft
-ul' r-pcs ant .iclt lumbrr-Unl there wa- clear
lett me forward drcE. Here We act 20 WORK ID
construct ifc-rat drtsTHirct not To eAV" tr vessel
un she burned ffolH under u>. E'lri' and hac cHF-
"r, were together. and when the work was dSne
tir ru'c iair was drirgcl forward 10 the how,
aAt the second mate AID / stool there Wit
ius for the uull p.uHge. but we're rescued bT tn"
boat ron tie queen of the Pacinc. The Queen
>fa Ell wiki th" wreck m she went down. ono mau was
re-cued hoH the hr,t boat. wh"h was I.nnd
trlrly fu. of wafer lie lying ui o." bottom un-
csncou- lie died af,cr being brought al board
the steamer"
inc burned steamer wls valued no 10000 ami was
uninsured No could give any idea of the cause OF tIe